Description of Product: For this assignment I created a Wimba archived session to be used with my virtual classroom. Wimba allows you to have real time discussions and provide instruction for students. It is interactive as students can use the tools that are provided to respond or ask questions either through typing or verbally. Wimba provides both audio and video for students so it does address those two learning modalities. By adding in other media such as screencasts, powerpoints, or websites, it becomes even more of an interactive activity.
Process:
I used the Wimba Classroom to share a book with my students. It was a simple book with appropriate text and vocabulary and strong picture support. I introduced it during the first week of our virtual classroom as a way to front load some information I wanted them to think about as they did their other virtual classroom activities. I created a powerpoint by taking screenshots of the book from a website (http://www.starfall.com) and putting them into a slide show presentation. I then used the tools provided by Wimba to highlight words and pictures as I read and was able to start and stop to ask comprehension questions throughout the story. I included an activity sheet for students to complete after viewing the Wimba session.
Reflection:
The Wimba Archived session was a challenge to complete but once I figured it out, it actually became one of my favorite components of Blackboard. It is very versatile and can be used in a number of ways. I used it to create something my students could view, listen to, and respond to. However, we also used it for this class as a way to meet when a face to face class wasn't scheduled. I think that students would find it helpful since it is their teachers voice and created specifically for them. I would definitely use this feature of Blackboard and would encourage others to do so as well.
VIRTUAL CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
Description of Product:
For this assignment I created a Wimba archived session to be used with my virtual classroom. Wimba allows you to have real time discussions and provide instruction for students. It is interactive as students can use the tools that are provided to respond or ask questions either through typing or verbally. Wimba provides both audio and video for students so it does address those two learning modalities. By adding in other media such as screencasts, powerpoints, or websites, it becomes even more of an interactive activity.
Process:
I used the Wimba Classroom to share a book with my students. It was a simple book with appropriate text and vocabulary and strong picture support. I introduced it during the first week of our virtual classroom as a way to front load some information I wanted them to think about as they did their other virtual classroom activities. I created a powerpoint by taking screenshots of the book from a website (http://www.starfall.com) and putting them into a slide show presentation. I then used the tools provided by Wimba to highlight words and pictures as I read and was able to start and stop to ask comprehension questions throughout the story. I included an activity sheet for students to complete after viewing the Wimba session.
Reflection:
The Wimba Archived session was a challenge to complete but once I figured it out, it actually became one of my favorite components of Blackboard. It is very versatile and can be used in a number of ways. I used it to create something my students could view, listen to, and respond to. However, we also used it for this class as a way to meet when a face to face class wasn't scheduled. I think that students would find it helpful since it is their teachers voice and created specifically for them. I would definitely use this feature of Blackboard and would encourage others to do so as well.
Wimba inc.. (1998). [Web]. Retrieved from http://wilmu.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapps%2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse%26id%3d_304948_1%26url%3d